Many people with mild cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) are able to continue working either full or part time. Others find that the fatigue and cognitive problems are so severe, continuing to work is impossible. When that happens, it may be necessary to apply for disability.

Whether you're struggling to continue working or trying to navigate the disability maze, the following sections will offer guidance and tips to help you along your journey.

Working with ME/CFS

While working when you have ME/CFS is not easy, it does offer some important benefits if you're able to do it. In addition to the obvious financial benefits, working can contribute to feelings of self-worth, provide opportunities for social interaction, offer intellectual challenges and even help distract your mind from your illness for periods of time as you focus on your job tasks.

In most cases, there are modifications that can be made to your job, schedule or workspace that can improve your ability to continue working and increase your productivity. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), most employers are obligated to make "reasonable accommodations" for people with disabilities.

Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions? The SSA has a list of conditions they consider so severe, they automatically mean you are disabled. If your condition is not on the list, they have to decide if it is equal in severity to another condition on the list. To check the SSA list of disabling conditions, see: Listing of Impairments. If your condition is not on the list or equal in severity, they then move to question 4.

Can you do the work you did previously? If the SSA determines that your condition does not interfere with the work you previously did, your claim will be denied. If it does interfere, they then proceed to question 5.

Can you do any other type of work? It's not enough just to be unable to do your previous job. They also look at your medical conditions, age, education, past work experience and transferable skills to determine if you could adjust to doing other types of jobs.

Long-Term Disability Insurance

If you have long-term disability insurance through your employer, you may be able to receive benefits - at least for a period of time - when you are no longer able to work due to fibromyalgia. Be aware, though, that you will likely meet with resistance from your insurance company.

According to disability attorney, Aaron Hotfelder, on the legal network Nolo.com,

Benefits will be terminated after 24 months for those with disabilities which are based primarily on self-reported symptoms, and disabilities due to alcoholism, drug abuse, or mental illness. Self-reported symptoms include manifestations of your condition that are not able to be verified using tests, procedures, or examinations commonly accepted in the practice of medicine, including headaches, pain, fatigue, soreness, numbness, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and loss of energy.

These articles will provide you with additional in-depth information about applying for LDI: